From The Movies to The Sidewalk: Where to Spot Celebrities in Manhattan, New York

I’ve had many visiting friends or tourists on the sidewalk inquire about where to spot celebrities around Manhattan. Though there are many other exciting things to do in the city, sometimes even people that have lived here for years get a kick out of seeing someone they know from the pages of their favorite magazines.

The easiest way to have a celebrity sighting is to go to an event that has big-name stars at it, and then you can be sure to recognize someone you know. During New York Fashion Week, for example, there are hoards of fans and photographers waiting outside the tents at Lincoln Center all week, watching famous guests go in. Though LA is more popular for celebrity events, there are always book singings and movie premieres happening every week around New York. There are also constant events in Time Square for Good Morning America and The Today Show where you can watch singers perform live outside, or see famous athletes and politicians get interviewed live. You’ll also get to see the famous talk show hosts from the shows, which is an added plus! Another option is to watch actors filming film or television by using a website such as www.OnLocationVacation.com that has constantly updated information.

Though celebrities live, work, and hang out all over Manhattan, sometimes just being in popular go-to spots can help. The nicer and more expensive the area, the more likely it is that you will have a brush with fame. If you hang out enough in SoHo, you’ll be sure to eventually recognize a model or actress who is shopping at the expensive designer boutiques in the area, such as Gisele Bundchen or Jessica Simpson. Barney’s, Sak’s Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman on the Upper East Side are also shopping favorites of famous socialites and Fashionistas such as Victoria Beckham and Nicole Richie. Another popular celebrity go-to are expensive, swanky rooftop bars such as The Standard Hotel (and it’s ‘Boom Boom Room’), The Empire Hotel, and Hotel Gansevoort. The rich and famous also love their dining out and club scenes, so why not dine out at Tao in Midtown, a favorite of the Giants and Yankees players, and then head to One Oak, where Ryan Gosling has been sighted, or 40/40, the place owned by Jay-Z? Though there is no guaranteed way to spot celebrities in the city, if you follow these tips you will have the best chance you can have at running into fame!